Health Department Inspection Fees Questioned

Should a small non-profit holding a fundraiser have to pay a fee to the Health Department?  That question was raised by Commissioner Tom Tikkanen at the Houghton County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting Tuesday.

For events that will be serving food, such as benefit spaghetti dinners or chicken barbecues, organizations are required to pay the health department to do an inspection to receive a permit.  The inspection verifies safe food handling practices and helps ensure the health of the community.

Tikkanen affirmed that the inspections were necessary but questioned the fee associated with them, which he says could be as high as $80.  For small groups like local VFW’s and volunteer fire departments, Tikkanen said that could be as much as ten percent of what the organization raises at their event.

No action was taken by the board but Tikkanen asked that the issue be brought up with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department to see if something could be done to waive those fees.